Workers secure first contract, end two-week strike

PROVIDENCE, RI, April 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Teamsters at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) have landed their first ever deal after a two week strike and 10 months of negotiations. The workers voted unanimously to ratify the treaty.

The new six-year contract provides wage increases averaging 33 percent, with a 22 percent increase going into effect July 2023retroactive effect on wages October 2022powerful perks, longevity bonuses, and more.

“After months of negotiations and several strikes, we are relieved to finally have a strong contract,” he said Regina Santos, RISD depositary and Local 251 member. “We are very grateful to our Teamster leaders, RISD students, community members and everyone who stood in solidarity with us on the picket line and helped us get a fair contract.”

“Strikes work – and this victory makes that abundantly clear,” he said Matt Taibi, Secretary and Treasurer of Local 251 and International Vice President of the Eastern Region. “RISD workers stood shoulder to shoulder demanding higher wages and better benefits, despite opposition from the RISD leadership. We are grateful to these workers for their dedication to standing the line and fighting for the contract they deserve.”

RISD Teamsters authorized a one-day strike against unfair labor practices (ULP) in late March after Local 251 filed ULP lawsuits against RISD for failing to pay a general wage increase and change the starting rates for workers without giving them any notice or a to give an opportunity to negotiate. When RISD continued to refuse to negotiate with the workers, they went to the picket line indefinitely 3rd of April.

Teamsters Local 251 represents over 6,300 workers across a variety of industries Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts. For more information, see teamsterslocal251.org/.

Contact:
Matt Taibi(401) 434-0454
mtaibi@teamster.org

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